Cam Heyward has a scratch he wants to itch but knows he’s got to wait for it to heal, or it’ll get worse. That itch is returning to the game he loves because standing on the sideline isn’t his jam. But it’s all he can do until he’s healthy enough to get back out there and help his team.
Heyward’s torn groin was one of three blows the Pittsburgh Steelers were dealt in Week 1. The San Fransisco 49ers manhandled them, and another star player, Diontae Johnson, sustained a hamstring injury that would keep him out of the game for multiple weeks.
Buy Steelers TicketsIt’s expected that Johnson will return following the Steelers Week 6 bye when they travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams. Heyward isn’t so lucky. His injury required surgery, which could keep him out for up to eight weeks. If all goes well, we could see him back for the Steelers’ November 12 home matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
And all is going well, per the man himself.
“Rehab’s coming along,” Heyward told Steelers Wire during a Little Caesars media blitz (more on that below). “I’m pushing ’em like crazy to get me back on that field, but I just got to follow what the doctors say and keep progressing every week.”
Being a spectator is more painful than the injury for the three-time All-Pro, who’d only missed 11 of 197 games (nine to injury; two resting for playoffs).
“Obviously, I’d love to be out there. It kills me not being out there to help my teammates.”
Of course, Heyward isn’t one to stand idly by. “The one thing I want to do is just stay involved. It’s still my job to be a captain, and even if I’m hurt, I can still be an outlet or help the guys out.”
Heyward snuck out to the field after the half of the Cleveland Browns game and plans to be on the sideline when Pittsburgh squares off with the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday.
That’s where you’ll find him, wishing like hell he could have his shot at Lamar Jackson. Instead, he’ll help where he can. “Whether by talking about situations on the field or communicating and seeing why I see what they’re doing and just trying to provide that. That’s all I can do right now, but that’s why I’m working so hard in my rehab to get back.”
Though the four-game road has been rocky, even in the matchups Pittsburgh has won, Heyward sees his teammates continuing to persevere.
“I think it’s tough, but the battle in every play, it’s not perfect, but it wasn’t perfect when I was there. So it’s about just continuing to keep making strides, and I think we’ve got a good group that keeps doing that.”
Cam Heyward and Little Caesars Pizza! Pizza Pregame
In year two as the NFL’s official pizza sponsor, Little Caesars is airing commercials to support current Pizza! Pizza! Pregame event, where fans who order Little Caesars pre- or post-game (and all day Sunday) get automatically entered for a chance to win Super Bowl 58 tickets. Instant-win perks include NFL regular season game tickets and a $50 or $250 gift code to NFLShop.com.
The Pizza! Pizza Pregame ads are epic and just about to get better. You’ve seen the “Disguise” spot with Justin Jefferson, now get ready for Cam Heyward and teammates Alex Highsmith, Mason Cole and Jaylen Warren… in a book club.
“Wait until you see the finished product. It’s pretty funny,” said Heyward. The spot is scheduled to air on October 9.
For more information on how to earn instant-win perks, prizes and Super Bowl tickets, visit https://football.littlecaesars.com/.
